Band splicer



April 1950 A. T. KOEHLER ET AL 2,933,958

BAND SPLICER Filed May 28, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l flue are:

a? JVQ av 4 April 1960 A. T. KOEHLER ETAL 2,933,958

BAND SPLICER Filed May 28, 1956 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TI I April 1950 A. 'r. KOEHLER ET AL 2,933,958

BAND SPLICER Filed May 28, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Iii H I DO N April 26, 1960 Filed May 28, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 1960 A. T. KOEHLER ETAL 2,933,958

BAND SPLICER Filed May 28, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZZ?ZZ% United States Patent BAND SPLICER Albert T. Koehler, Herbert Palmleaf, and Melvin E.

Ross, Chicago, Ill., assignors to A. J. Gerrard 8: Company, Melrose Park, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 28, 1956, Serial No. 587,564

15 Claims. (Cl. 81-9.1)

The invention relates generally to scaling mechanisms and more particularly to automatic seal attaching and crimping mechanisms adapted to be used therewith.

The present invention has among its objects the production of a seal attaching and crimping mechanism which may be automatic in operation to feed seals into the mechanism, and upon suitable actuation, crimp the seal about two strap ends. Thus where the novel mechanism is incorporated in a semi-automatic band splicing machine and the like, the operator may position two strap ends in operative relationship to the sealing jaws, and upon actuation of the mechanism, the band ends will be joined by a seal surrounding the same, the latter being crimped to provide an effective connection, following which the mechanism is recycled to position a fresh seal in operative position to receive the next pair of strap ends.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a mechanism which is so designed that it will take various sized strapping, both as to width and thickness, within reasonable limits, and efi'ectively connect the same by a crimped seal, without requiring adjustment of the sealing mechanism, whereby a very efiicient connection may be achieved providing up to approximately 88% strength and tension of the banding material.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a mechanism for splicing bands or the like, having very efiicient safety devices whereby the machine may be set in operation only when the operators hands are in a predetermined safe position before the machine can be actuated.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a mechanism which is comparatively simple, having a minimum of moving parts, which is very rugged and thus dependable in operation, requiring minimum amount of maintenance.

A further object of the invention is the production of novel indexing means whereby partially formed seals may be fed from a coil of strip material, to insure accurate positioning of the seal following its severance from the strip, novel means also being provided for automatically severing the seal during the operation of the machine.

A further object of the invention is the production of a novel seal which is so shaped that it may be readily partially fabricated in strip form and subsequently severed into individual seals, whereby the seal will be severed from the strip without producing dangerous sharp points or spiders which might result in injury to persons handling the banding, such result being achieved even though the severing means and seal indexing mechanism may be slightly out of adjustment, thus eliminating critical adjustments in the mechanism.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a mechanism which may be readily adapted to hydraulic actuation with accurate electrical control, resulting in a highly efiicient, fast acting, relatively easily adjusted mechanism.

structure for holding a supply of seals in strip form,

being omitted;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately onthe,

line 4-4 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken approximatelyon the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional yiew taken approximately on the a line 88 of Fig. 7, illustrating the sealing mechanism at the end of the crimping operation;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of the seal guiding structure taken approximately on the line 99 of Fig. 5, with the cover member therefor removed to show the details of the seal advancing and indexing,

mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view looking from right to,

left as seen in Fig. 4, of the electrical control switch arrangement and actuating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a strip of connected seals adapted to be used with the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of two strap ends joined together by means of a crimped seal as performed by the present invention; and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic figure of the electrical con I 'trol circuits, which may be utilized in the machine illustrated.

While the novel seal attaching and crimping means illustrated in the drawings may have considerable application in various types of automatic sealing mechanisms, for the purposes of explanation, the mechanism is illustrated in conjunction with a novel machine designed to splice sections of banding, as for example, where strap material is to be reused, and short sections of the banding are therefore spliced into longer, reusable lengths.

Thus in the machine illustrated the seals are adapted to' be automatically fed from a roll of seals into the crimping and attaching mechanism, and automatically positioned for engagement with a pair of strap ends, which may be manually positioned in operative relationship, following which the seal is crimped upon the band ends to securely attach the same together and the machine rccycled automatically to bring a following seal into operative position for engagement with the next pair of strap ends to be joined.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated is adapted to be hydraulically actuated, a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, and controlled through electrically ac tuated valve structure, may be employed with the crimping mechanism to provide extremely dependable fast, positive action which may be accurately controlled by the electrical means.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a cabinet ass-apes type bench having-a top*2'on-'which is positioned a plate 3, which forthe purposes of reference will be'termed a mounting or base plate, secured to the top 2 by suitable means such as bolts 4. In the embodiment of the invention-illustrated; the mountinggplate-3 is 1 adapted to carry all of the sealing andcrimping mechani'smindicated rgcnerally by the numeral 5, as-wellas the means forguiding the seals-in strip 'form, into the sealing mechanism, and

in addition thereto is adapted to supporting guiding means: for the bands to be joined and the manually actuatable control mechanism.

In the construction illustrated-the guiding means for, the bands to be joined comprise-s a'pair ofvertically extending standards 6 and'7, while the manual'control mechanismjncludeszapair of switch 'actuatingmemb'erscomprising a lever 8 and a'switch' button 9." The seals-are "adapted to, be supplied in. apontinuous roll which" may besupportedat the end of the machine adjacentythe inlet for the seals .by suitable suppprtingstructureindicated generally-bythe numeral 11, only a portion oti'the latter being illustrated in Figs 1 and-2, and includingga seal' guide member 12' illustrated as-b'eing of'more or less arcu ate vshape.

The embodiment "of the-invention illustrated may be. hydraulically actuated by a hydraulic cylinder,indicated generally by'the numeral 13; adapted to..receive suitable. oil under pressure to reciprocate a piston and piston rod within the cylinder; The oil may be supplied from atank or reservoir 14 by means of a hydraulic pump .15 driven byan electricmotor 16,j the oil being controlledwith respect'to the cylinder 13 bya suitable electro-magnetic valve structure 17, the various components being operatively connected by hoses indicated generally by;

the. numeral 18.

which has previously been severed from the supply roll will be positionedat the topof the sealing. mechanism 5, where, a pairof strap ends may-be positioned on the seal and by simultaneous actuation, of the lever..,8 an'dswitch. buttqu..9,theseallwilhbefolded around, the strap; endsgand' crimped. thereon... to securely join the: .latter,.. following which the jaws of the crimping mechanism will [open to. permit removal of the joined straps therefrom andflthe machine will. complete .a recycling operation to. advance, a successive seal into the sealing mechanism, sever the seallfroml the supply .roll, and position. the seal .for. en-

' gagernentwith a subsequent pairv of. strap ends, whereby the entire operation may be repeated. a

In. actual practice theoperator normally would hayea supply. of: pieces. of. strapping ,so. positioned .onxthe top 2 one strap in hisright. hand andthe second strap in-his left; hand, the adjacent ends of the straps extending inop posedrelation between the operatorsv hands. He may then' place the adjacent strap endsiin proper relationship. on,,the seal, which will bringhis leftshand directly above the. switch lever 8, and his righthand'directlyabove the switch button 9, so that when the strap ends are in proper position he may readily applypressure to the lever 8 and thecap 9. Simultaneous actuation of these elements will result in the actuation of the crimping mechanism, foldingthe seal over on the strap ends, crimping the sealto jointhe-ends and thereuponopening-the. jawsto permit thetoperator to remove the joined straps; and place them to.one. side. Following opening of the crimping jaws, the mechanism will automatically recycle, feedinga new, seal a into the crimping mechanism, severing-the seal from the supply roll, and bringing the severed'sealintoposition; for engagement with the next pairof straps. During operation the operator mayv pickup the next. pairgof straps and position the ends thereof upon theseal which has been brought into. operative position in the interim.

The present invention thus enables aminexperienced operatorto perform splices very rapidly and 'sixhun'dred spliccsper hour-may bereadily achieved. 1 7

The arrangement issuch that,'during operation, a' seal The sealer echanism Referring to Figs. 3 through 8', the sealer mechanism may comprise a pair of spaced substantially parallel side plates 21a and 21b, which extend through a more or less rectangularly shaped opening 22 in the plate 3 and may be supported by the latter by mounting bars 23 which may be secured to the plates 21a'and 21b by screws 24,

a the bars in turn being secured to the plate 3 by suitable .or other supportingstructurethat he may readily-grasp? adjacent thereto.

cap screws 25. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, each of the side plates may be provided with a pair of vertically extending parallel slots 26, the slots 26 in the side plate 21a being connected by a transversely extending slot 27, the latter being positioned intermediate the ends of the respective slots 26,, whereby the combined shape of the slots 26 and 27 is in the form of aletter H. The slots 26 may be closed adjacent the outer faces of the plates 21a and 2112 by plates 28a and 28b, the latter plates being secured .to; the side plates ;21aand 211;, respectively, by screws 2 9:adjacentthe upperedge of the plates 28a and 28b andat theinlowergpprtions; by the bar 23 and'cap, screws 24. I

Extending between the -side-plates21aand 21b are a pair otpins 31 having their ends disposed incorresponding; slots .26 as clearly illustrated in, Fig, 7, theplates 28a and128b forming ,retainingmernbers to prevent axial movementof the pins31. Pivotallymounted'on each pin;3 1 isjv a plurality of crimpingv jaws '32, the particular construction illustrated utilizinglthree'such jaws on eachv of'ithe'pins. 31, and disposed intermediate'thejaws are punchblocks 33, which as illustrated in Fig.- 8, are generally rectangular in shape,.and;provided at their upper edge with a recess or notch 34, thereimhaving a horizontal .portion 35 which terminatesin inclined faces 36; Positioned adjacent each of the side plates 21a and 21b are generally rectangular plate-like members 37 and 38, which for the purpose of identificationwill be respectivelyteimedthellower-cutter block. or bar and the seal stop splate; Both ot;theseplates may beprovidedwith generally. "vertically extending slots. i 39 therein. through which. the-;pins:31.extend; whereby-theplates37 and 38 may inove vertically with respect .to the pins. thus operating the jaws.'32.i Suitable spacersf40 are 'disposed'be. tween the plates:v 37 and '38.anditherespectivejaws 32 AsiIlustrated in Fig. 6, the plate 37 may be provided with .ainotch 41 in its upper edge, forming a shearing edge 42, the op'posite edgeportion of the plate 37 being a 43, while the member 38 may .be 'providedwith alflat upper edge without: a similar relieved as indicated at notch, as will be apparent'from a reference to 'Fig. 6.

Each of the jaws'32 may beyprovide'd'with a bore.

44- therein in which are positioned pins, 45, the latter also extending through pairs of actuating links 46, each of which are positioned betweena respective pair of ja'ws' 32, and thus positioned below the punch blocks 33; asfwill'be clearlyapparent from a reference to Fig. 8. Alsocarriedby'each'of the pins 45 adja'centthe side plates 21a and 21b are cylindrically shaped rollers 48 which may cooperate with vertically extending guide rails 49 having inclined top faces 50, positioned adjacent'the vertical edges'of the side plates 21a and 21b and secured 'thereto' by suitable means such as cap screws 51. As

illustrated'in Fig. 8, the'free ends of'the links 46 may be pivotally connected'to a clevis" block 52 rigidly mounted on the free end of the piston rod 53 of the hy dr'aulic cylinder 13, the upper end block 54 of the cylinden'being secured: to the sideplates'21a and 21b by bolts or screws 55 passing through the side plates'and' threaded into the block 54;

As will be apparent from a reference-to Fig. 3, the clevis block 52 is provided with slots 56- therein, each adapted to receive the free end of one of the links 46, thepins: 57exte'nding through the links 46' and cooperablei boresinthe. block 52,. axialimovement' of each pin 57 being restricted by the side plates 21al:and 21b.1-

Carried by the side plate 21a and cooperable with the lower cutter bar 37 is an upper cutter block 58, portions of which are visible in Figs. 3, 4 and 8, the block 53 being generally L-shaped, having a vertically extending portion 59 and a horizontally extending portion 61 which, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is positioned in the cross slot 27 in the side plate 21a, the end face 62 of the portion 61 being positioned substantially in the plane of the inner face of the side plate 21a and cooperable with the cutting edge 42 of the lower cutter 37. It will be noted that the upper cutter block 53 is spaced from the bottom edge of the slot 27 to provide a passageway 63 therebelow for the seals, as will hereinafter be described.

General operation of the crimping mechanism it will be appreciated from a study of Figs. 4, 6 and 8 that the crimping assembly comprising the jaws 32, punch blocks 33, spacers 49, seal stop plate 38 and upper cutter block 37, together with the pins 31, links 46, pins 47 and rollers 48, may be reciprocated in a vertical direction under the action of the piston rod 53. During such movement the pins 31 are restricted by the slots 26 in the side plates from moving other than in a vertical direction as defined by the slots. However, as the pins 45 are not confined by the side plates 21:: and 21b, other than as to axial movement, the positioning and movement of the pins 45 may be controlled by the rollers 48 and guide rails 49, whereby the movement of the pins 45 is restricted to a vertical movement when the rollers 48 are disposed along the inner vertical edges of the guide rails 49, but as the rollers reach the upper end of each guide rail they may move laterally outward above the upper end face of each guide rail, permitting the jaws 32 to rotate about the pins 31 which at such point have approached the end of their travel in the slots 26 and are adapted to be seated on the upper end walls of the latter.

Thus assuming that the piston of the cylinder 13, and the piston rod 53 associated therewith, are at the end of their retractive movement, the crimping mechanism Will substantially assume the relationships illustrated in' Fig. 4, wherein the rollers 48 are disposed between the guide rails 4%, the jaws 32 being rotated into an open position and the entire crimping assembly being withdrawn downwardly between the side plates 21a and 211;. As the rollers 48 reach the upper end faces of the guide rails 49 the links 46 will urge the pins 45 laterally outward to rotate the jaws into a closed position similar to that illustrated in 8. Upon return movement of the piston rod 53, the inclined top faces 58 of the guide rails 49 will urge the rollers 48 inwardly, whereupon the latter will be free to move downwardly as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Seal feeding mechanism As illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 9, l1 and 12, the seal indicated generally by the numeral 64, is formed from suitable metal stock, as for example, strip material, and is provided with a base portion 65 having a pair of side walls or flanges 66 adapted to be folded over as illustrated in Fig. 12 to form a generally tubular structure in which the strap ends S and S may be positioned, the seal being partially severed as indicated at 67 and deformed out of the plane of the remaining portions of the seal to form an interlock between the seal and the strap ends, such interlocking structure being generally old in the art. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the seals 64 are adapted to be fabricated in a continuous strip of connected seals, the latter being joined together at opposite ends of the respective base portions 65 as indicated by dotted lines 67 in Fig. 11. It will be noted that the strip forming the seals is notched as indicated at 68 on the lines of juncture 67 of adjoining seals, forming a connecting web portion 69 at which the individual seals are to be subsequently severed. As illustrated, the end 6 edges of the side walls or flaps 66 of each seal may extend in the same direction as the lines of juncture 67, and the end edges may terminate in diagonally extending edge portions 71.

The construction of the seal is such that the web portion 69 is sufl'iciently long in the longitudinal direction of the strap, that the severing of the leading seal from the remainder of the strip will always occur at the web 69 and thus insure a sheared edge that is free from burrs or spiders, as they are called, which might cause injury to persons handling the strap. It will be appreciated that in the event the shearing of the leading seal took place at a point where a portion of the side walls or flanges 66 were likewise sheared, the projecting cutting of such side walls would form a sharp pointed burr or the like which could readily cause injury to persons handling the strap and if the notch 68 was more or less V-shaped, with the apex terminating on the shearing line 67, the severance would have to take place exactly at the apex or such a burr or spider would be produced, necessitating extremely accurate and critical adjustment of the feeding mechanism to insure cutting exactly between the seals. However, by utilizing a notched arrangement such as that illustrated, the web 69 may be of definite length, as for example threesixteenths of an inch, enabling the shearing action to take place anywhere along the web and at the same time produce a uniform sheared edge on the seal free of burrs, etc.

Long strips of connected seals, such as that illustrated in Fig. 11, may be arranged in coiled form and supported by a suitable supporting structure, indicated in general by the numeral 11 in Figs. 1 and 2, only a portion of such structure being illustrated, whereby the leading end of the strip may be fed upwardly on the curved ramp 12 to the seal advancing mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, mounted on the base plate 3 is a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel seal guide rails or bars 72, forming a passage way 73 therebetween adapted to receive the strip of seals as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 9. The rails 72 may be secured to the plate 3 by suitable means, as for example, shouldered cap screws 74 (see Fig. 1), four such screws being employed in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, with such screws also being adapted to retain a cover plate 75 which is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending slots 76 adjacent the crimping mechanism 5 and a pair of key hole shaped openings 77 adjacent the guide 12 for engagement with the screws 74. Thus the cover 75 may be removed from the rails when desired, by sliding the cover to the left as viewed in Fig. l to permit the disengagement of the right hand end of the cover from the adjacent screws '74, which will simultaneously position the heads of the opposite pairs of screws 74 in the enlarged portion of the key hole slots 77, permitting the adjacent end of the cover plate to be raised upwardly, with the heads of the screws passing through the openings 77. The cover plate 75 may be locked in assembled relation on the guide rails 2 by suitable means, as for example, a bar lever 78 pivoted at 79 on a standard or column 81 mounted on the plate 3, the lever 73 being adapted to engage a locking stud 82 carried by the cover plate 75, thereby preventing movement of the plate in a releasing direction when the lever 78 is in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, but upon rotation of the lever upwardly to release the stud 82, the cover may be removed as described. A stud 83 on the plate 3 is adapted to engage the opposite side of the lever 78 to guide the latter into locking engagement with the stud 82.

It will be noted from a reference to Figs. 4 and 5, which show the cross sectional shape of the partially formed seal as it advances between the guide rails 72, that the side walls 66 of the seal diverge outwardly and upwardly from their junction with the base 65, and disposed in thepassageway 73 between the guide rails 72 and secured'tolthe coverrplate'75 bysuitable means such asscrews 74', isan inner guiderail72' whichcooperates:

with the base 'plate'3, rails 72 and cover 75 toform a more or less C-shaped passageway for the strip ofseals adjacentthe crimping mechanism 5. 7

Referring to Figs. 3, 5 and 8, the means for advancing the strip of seals may include a rock lever 84 carried by a shaft 85 supported by apair of spaced brackets 86, which in turn may be carried by the plate 3, the brackets having flanges 37 thereon adapted to receive studs on which may be threaded nuts 89 for retaining; u: .i-Aii in position. T add rigidity to the structure the brackets 86 may also be operativelyconnectedto the plate 21a ashereinafter described, by a pair of studs- 91rigidly connected to the vertically extending flanges 92 ofeach bracket by lock nuts 9 3 threaded on the studs -?1.

Carr ed by the lever-84st the-upper end which err-- tends into'an openingin the plate 3'thereof is a seal en-.

gaging pawl 94 which maybe pivotally supported on a pin carriedby thelever 84, the pawl being biased in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 95, as viewed in Fig. '3, by a torsion spring 96 having one end bearing onthe intermediate web 97 of the lever and the opposite end on the pawl. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the pawl 94- may be provided with an upwardly extending portion 97, of generally triangular shape in cross section, having apair of spaced ears or lugs 98 thereon adapted to enter'the slots 63 of the. strip of seals, as clearly illustrated in. Figs, 3 and 5, whereby rocking movement of the lever 84 about the axis of the shaft 85 will result in reciprocation of the pawl 94.

, Thus advancement of the strip of seals will take place when the lever 84 is rotated in a clockwise direction, whereas the lugs 98 of the pawl may move out of engagement with the slots 68 of the strip of seals, in opposition to the biasing spring 06, so that no movement of the strip of seals will be effected upon the return movement of the lever 84.

Suitable indexing'means for the strip of seals may also be provided, that illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown, comprising a pair of index pins 99 reciprocably mounted in bores 161 located in the respective guide rails '72 and having threaded stems 102 extending through apertures in the bottom wall of the bores 101, the pins 99 being urged inwardly by compression springs 103, each having one end seated on the head of the pin 99 and the opposite end on the bottom wall of the bore 101, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5, with inward movement of the pins being restricted by lock nuts 104- on the threaded external ends of the respective pins; the lock nuts also providing a means of adjustment for the indexing structure. As illustrated in Fig 9, the heads of the pins 99 may be provided'with tapered or conical shaped edges 99 which are adapted to engage the inclined edges 71 of adjacent seals, operativeto accurately position or index the seal with respect to the mechanism 5. The indexing means also is operative to insure retention of the advanced strip in position, while the feeder pawl 94 returns to its original posi tion following advancement of the strip.

The seal advancing mechanism is adapted to be actuated by movement of the rod 53, with the details of such mechanism being illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8, and including a pair of axially movable shafts 105 supported in bushings 106 carried by the plates 21a and 21b. Connecting the ends of the shafts 105 adjacent the plate 21a is a cross bar 107 adapted to be rigidly connected to the shafts by threaded end portions 108 on the latter passing through the bar and secured by nuts 109, the cross bar being seated on shoulders defining the juncture of the threaded portion 108 withthe body of the shaft.

Positioned at the opposite end of each shaft is a compressionspring'111 bearing atone end on the adjacent bushing 106 and adapted to be. compressed by lock nuts 112, the.latteLproviding-means foradjustingthe degree f pressisaoi Quantitie -i 11 Which-1 r at ve bias-theshafts lfi a d crossbar 107 ina right-hand:

directionras viewed-d Fig. 3;

The-cross bar 107 may be connected to the lever-84 S by suitable means, as for exampl'e a stud 113 having one end threaded into the bar 107 intermediate the shafts 105' and locked in place by a nut 114. The opposite end of the stud'113 is adapted to extend through a trunnion block-115 pivotally carried by the lever 84, the latter 10 having a bifurcation 116 at the opposite side of the pin ment of two, pairs of lock nuts 118. Rigidly mounted on shafts 1% are carn blocks 119, the latter being generally rectangular in shapeand having an inclined upper or top, face-121 engageable'withrollers 122 mounted on bushings 123 supported on a pin 124 which also passes through the block 52 and'piston rod 53, pinning the two together, and provided with threaded end portions 125 and 126, respectively, the end 125 being provided with a washer127 and'nut 128 adapted to retain the bushing 123'thereon and in like manner the bushing 123 on its end 126 may be retained by a nut 129.

It will be apparent that-with this construction, as the piston rod'53and structure carried thereby, including the'pin- 124'and rollers 122 carried thereby, approaches the end of itsretracting movement, the rollers 122 will engage the inclined cam faces 121 of the blocks 119,

urging the latter laterally and with its shafts 105 and cross bar 107, in' opposition to the springs 111, axial movement of the shafts 105 resulting in movement of the trunnion block 115 thereby rocking the lever 84 about the axis of the shaft 85 to move the pawl 94 in a feeding direction toward the right as viewed in Fig. 3. The mechanism will normally be so adjusted that the lever 34 and pawl 94 will move the seals the desired amount to bring the junction of adjacent seals into en- 0 gagement with the index pins 99 as illustrated in the drawings. The pins 99 are so positioned with respect to the face 62 of the upper cutter block 58 that the desired point of severance of the leading seal will be positioned in line with the face 62, and as the assembly carrying the lower cutter blade 37 moves upwardly, the cutters Will H, shear themetal at theweb 69 to sever the leading seal from the strip.

- T he control'mechanism As previously mentioned, theihydraulic valve structure indicated generally by the numeral 17 in the drawings,

is adapted to be electro-magnetically actuated whereby the manually actuated controlling means may be in the form of electric switches. Likewise the reciprocation of the hydraulic piston and pistonrod 53 may be accom- E-plished by limit switches operated by the movement of the piston rod.

Referringto Figs; 3, 4, 8 and 10, carried by the plates 21a and 21b is a switch panel or plate 131 which may be securedto the plates 21a and 21b by respective bars 132, the latter being secured to the plates 21aand 21b 65.. to the plate 21a, the studs being threaded into bores in the bar 132."

Carried on the panel 131 isan upper limit switch 135T, an intermediate or neutral switch 135N, and a lower or bottom limit switch 1353. Also carried by the panel 131- is a pair of operating switches 136 and 137,

the former being associated-with the operating lever 8 and the latter with the cap member 9, whereby the switches maybe operated by their respective associated members, In the embodiment of the invention illus- 7n trated,the-switches 136 and 137'are-mounted' on hurlzontally extending brackets 138 and 139, respectively, carried by the panel 131. The switches 135T, 135N and 1353 are provided with operating levers 141T, 141N and 1413, respectively, each of which is provided at its free end with a roller 142. Cooperable with such rollers M2, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8, is an extension member threaded on the end 126 of the pin 124, a lock washer or other suitable means 144 being interposed between the extension 143 and the nut 129, if desired. The free end of the extension 143 may terminate in a cylindrical portion 145 which is adapted to engage the rollers 1 52 as the piston rod 53 is reciprocated, with the limit switches being operative to control the hydraulic cylinder, and thus the reciprocation of the crimping mechanism 5.

Electrical control circuits Fig. 13 illustrates in diagrammatic form a suitable electric control system for the mechanism heretofore described. Each of the switches 135T, N and B comprises two pairs of cooperable contacts, one pair being designated NC and of normally closed construction, while the other pair is designated NO and of normally open construction, so that when the particular actuating lever 141 associated with any one of the switches is operatively engaged by the extension member 143, the contacts NC of such switch will be open and the contact NO closed, or in other words, the positions will be reversed to that illustrated in Fig. 13.

The construction of the switch 135N and switch arm 14114 is such that the switch is actuated only on upward movement of the actuating arm 141N and is inoperative when the arm is moved downwardly as the piston rod 53 moves downward.

Associated with each limit switch is a corresponding operating relay, the relay associated with the switch 135T being designated as TR, indicating the top operating relay, the switch 135N with the relay NR and'the switch 1353 with the relay BR. Each of the relays includes two pair of normally open contacts and a relay winding, one pair of contacts of each relay being designated Li and being operative, as hereinafter described, to lock in the particular relay when the relay is initially actuated. The other pair of contacts of each relay is designated U or D, as the case may be, indicating that those particular contacts involve the actuation of the directional valve 17 to move the piston either up or down.

The motor 16 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13 as being of a three phase type and adapted to be operativeiy connected to a three phase line I. through a suitable fused switch box indicated generally by the numeral 146, with lines y and x of the line L being utilized for operation of the relays and valve 17.

As illustrated, one side of both the down and up circuits for the valve 17 may be operatively connected to the line y as may be one side of each of the relay windings. The opposite side of the down circuit or" the valve 17 is operatively connected to one of the contacts D of the relay TR, the other cooperable contact of the relay being operatively connected to the line 3: of the power line, so that when the relay TR is actuated the valve 17 will be actuated to a position to permit downward movement of the piston and piston rod 53 of the cylinder 13. In similar manner one contact of the contacts U of the relay NR and one of the contacts U of the relay BR may be connected in parallel to the other side of the up cir-- cuit of the valve 17, the other contact of each pair being operatively connected to the line x, so that when either of the relays NR or BR is actuated, the valve 17 will be actuated to permit upward movement of the piston rod 53.

One contact of the contact LI of the relay TR may be connected to the opposite winding of the relay and through the contacts N of the switch 135T to the line x, while the other contact LI of the relay may be operatively connected to the line x through the normally closed contacts NC of the switch B. In similar manner, one contact of the contact LI of the relay NR may be connected to the corresponding end of the associated relay winding and to the line x through normally open contact N0 of the switch 135N, normally open contacts of the switch 137 and normally open contacts of the switch 136, all of which are in series with the relay winding and the line x. The other contact of the contact LI of the relay NR may be connected to the line through normally closed contacts NC of the switch 135T. Provision is also made for manually actuating the relay NR independently of the switches 135 by a manually operable switch 147 which connects the winding of the relay NR to the line x, thereby actuating the same. The contacts LI of the relay BR are also connected in a similar manner, one contact being connected to the winding of the relay and also to the line x through the normally open contacts N0 of the switch 135B, while the other contact of the contacts L1 is operatively connected to the line 2: through normally closed contacts NC of the switch 135N.

Operation The general operation of the machine may be visualized from a reference to Figs. 3, 4, 6,8 and 10, Figs. 4, 6 and 8 illustrating different positions of the crimping mechanism and the seal therein.

The master switch 146 is initially closed to actuate the motor 16 and pump 15, the latter being provided with a suitable by-pass for the flow of oil when the cylinder 13 is not actuated. Assuming there is no seal in the jaws 32 as illustrated in Fig. 6, the operator may close the switch 147, to actuate the relay NR, closure of the lock-in contacts Ll of which will lock the winding to the line x to maintain the relay NR actuated. Actuation of the latter will also result in closing of the contacts U thereof to actuate the valve 17 for upward movement of the piston rod 53 and crimping mechanism, which will continue to move upward until the portion of the extension 143 carried by the pin 124 engages and actuates the switch arm 141T of the top switch 135T, resulting in actuation of such switch to close the contacts NO thereof and open the contacts NC thereof.

Opening of the latter contacts will thereby break the lock-in circuit to the relay NR, permitting the latter to fall, While closing of the contacts N0 of the switch 1351 will result in actuation of the relay TR, the latter being locked on the line x through the contacts LI of the relay in series with the contacts NC of the switch 13513, and upon closing of the contacts D of the relay TR the valve 17 will be actuated to permit the piston to be moved downwardly, past the switch arm 141N, which will not actuate the switch 135N which action will continue until the extension 143 operatively engages the switch arm 14113 of the switch 135B to actuate the latter, opening the contacts NC thereof to permit the relay TR to fall, and closing the contacts NO thereof to actuate the relay BR. Upon such actuation the contacts LI thereof will be closed, locking the relay to the line x through the normally closed contacts NC of the switch 135N, and at the same time closing the contacts U of the relay BR to reverse the valve 17, causing the piston to move upwardly.

The piston rod 53 and crimping mechanism will move upwardly until the extension 143 engages the arm 141N to actuate the switch 135N, opening the winding of the relay BR and permitting the latter to fall. Upon such actuation the piston and piston rod, as well as the crimping mechanism carried thereby, will stop its upward movement as the closing of the contacts N0 of the switch 135N will be inoperative to continue movement of the crimping mechanism until the switches 136 and 137 have been simultaneously closed to closethe circuit to the relay NR. Consequently the crimping mechanism will stop at the neutral position defined by the switch 1351i. However, upon: closing of the :=swit ches-.=136;-.and2;

with respect to the extension 143 that actuation of the switch will take place when the'piston rod 53 has moved upwardly to bring the elements of the crimping mechanism into the position illustrated in Fig. 6. In this position a single seal 64'will be supported on the horizontally extending portions 148. of the, jaws 32, thegportions. 1.49 of the jaws engaging'the side walls 66 of'the seal adjacent the upper edges thereof, as clearly shown in. Fig.6, with the jaws beingslightly closed to exertpressure. on the seal and thus hold it in place in the sealing mechanism. Referring to Fig. 6 it will be noted that when the mechanism is in such position the rollers 48 have moved to a position to'pass above the ends of the guide rails 49 and at the same time have urged the lower cutter 37 and plate 38 upwardly, whereby the pins 31 are positioned in the bottom of the slot 39 of the respective members. Y

The crimping jaws will thus be in an open position, holding a seal therein ready for the insertion of the strapends to-be joined together, and upon the insertion of the strap ends in position directlyabove the seal, which would normally position the hands of the operator to permit them to readily depress the lever 8 and cap 9 to actuate the switches 136 and 137, the piston rod 53 will move upwardly until the extension 143 engages and actuates the arm 141T of the. switch 135T. During such upward movement the links &6 will rotate the jaws 32 into the position illustrated in Fig. 8, resulting in a shearing and. deformation of the edges of the seals adjacent the punch. blocks 33, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8, and at the. same time the rollers 43 will have disengaged from the members 37 and 33, which are free to move downwardly out of the way of the jaws and punch block. The arm 14115 is so adjusted with relation to the switching mechanism and the extension 143 that actuation of the switch 135T will take place when the mechanism reaches theposition illustrated in Fig. 8, thereby reversing the movement of the piston rod 53 and crimping mechanism5, the first action being the engagement of the rollers 48 with the top e'd'ge of the guide rails 49, followed by engagement of the rollers with the'adjacent portion of the respective members 37 and 33, whereby continued movement of. the piston rod will result in the rollers 48 carnming the members 37 and 38 upwardly, having the effect of pushing the crimped seal and straps off of the punch blocks 33 and out of the crimping mechanism.

As the rollers 43 ride ofi of the top edges of the guide rails 49the'entire crimping mechanismmay move downwardly, the variousmembers approximating the positions illustrated in Fig. 4, and as the members 37, 38-andportions 35 of the punch blocks 33 pass below the lower edge of slot 27 which as previouslynoted'defines the bottom of the passageway 63, the rollers 122 will engage the inclined surfaceslZl of the cam blocks 119, urging the latter to the left as viewed in Fig. 3, resulting in axial movement of theshafts 1135 in the same direction, which is operative to rock the lever 84 in a clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 3, resulting in a feeding movement of the pawl 94 to advance the strip of seals'the length of a single seal,-the pins 99 engaging the rear edge '71 of the second seal from the leading end and the leading edge- '71- of the third seal, to accurately position. the leading seal= above the crimping mechanism. Upon consummation of such advancing movement under the action of the rollers' 123, the extension 143 will engage'the; actu ating -arm 141B of the" switch 1358-, the arm beingsuitwall 65 of ahlyadjpsted to: achievethe desired results, ther 2y Jre versingzthe direction of movement of the piston rod 53 and the latter and associated crimping mechanism will thereupon begin. to move upwardly. Simultaneously therewith as the rollers 12 2 begin disengagement from the cam blocks 119, the lever 84 will return to its original. position as illustrated in Fig.3, under action of the spring 111, the pins 99 retaining the strip of seals in advanced position, while the pawl 94 rotates downwardly out of engagement with the slots 68 and rides along the bottom the seal until it moves upwardly under action of the spring 96, when the lugs 93 on the pawl reach the juncture of the two seals immediately behind the pins 99.

As the mechanism continues to move upwardly, upon.

" the cutting edge of the .lower cutter block 37 reaching the connected seal, such cutter will cooperate with the upper block 58 to sheartheleading seal fromthe strip,

Fig, 4 illustrating the parts as the lowercutter approaches.

engagement with the seal.

To prevent springingmovement, etc. of the sealasit is severed from the strip andsthus possibly movement. out of the desired position for further operations thereon,.

suitable means may be provided for preventing upward movement of the seal from the crimping mechanism at the time of severance, such means in the embodiment illustrated comprising a hold-down arm 150 pivotally supported ona pin 150 carried by an uprightor standard 151 mounted on the plate 3, the arm ISllbeing biased.

in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 by a tors on spring 152. As illustrated, the arm %.is more or less C-shaped to provide clearance for the adjacent jaw v 33 and is provided with a generally rectangular shaped portion 153, which may have rounded edges, engageable w1th the seal to initially hold the seal in place. As will be apparent from a reference to Figs. 6. and, 8, as the.

" free access to-the seal, withthe strap ends to be joined after the mechanism has reached the position illustrated in Fig, 6, following which the structure isready for another sealing cycle.

It Will-be noted that thecrimpingandadvancing mechanism all may bemounted on'the plate 3'which. may be readily removed as a unit from the cabinet structure, the topof which may be provided with an openingunderneaththe plate 3 of a size to permit passage of the mechanis m therethrough, with .the exception of the panel .131v

and associated structure which may be dismounted prior to the removal of the mechanism from the cabinet. Thus maintenance problemsare facilitated as one mechanism may bereadily substituted for another with relatively minor, substantially quickly performed operations.

It willbe noted. that as the side walls 66 of the seal are in initiallyopen position at the time the strap ends are inserted therein, the mechanism will readily fold over such side walls and effectively crimp the seal, even though the width or thicknesses of the straps may vary somewhat, the action of. the jaws tightly folding and wrapping the seal .over. upon theadjacent band ends, fol owed my the crimping of the. seals. It will be apparent from the above description that we have provided a novel cumin ing mechanism in conjunction with novel advancing means for seals in strip form, which construction 15 relatively simple in operation, very rugged and dependable and yet may be readily adjusted to insure satisfactory efiicient operat on. 7

Having thus described our invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the samewithout departing from the spirit of our invention; hence we do not wish'to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exactform,construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentiOnedJ r i i i i i What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sealing device for joining a pair of strap ends, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism comprising a base plate, having an opening therein, a pair of spaced parallel side plates associated with said base plate and extending through said opening therein, each having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots therein, the slots in one plate being laterally aligned with, the corresponding slots in the other plate, a pair of parallel pins extending between said plates with opposite ends positioned in aligned slots, a plurality of spaced crimping jaws carried by each pin, punchblocks interposed between adjacent jaws, a pair of members interposed between said jaws and the respective side plates, one of said members having a cutting edge thereon, said pins extending through said punchblocks and through slots in said members extending parallel to the slots in said side plates whereby said members may move relative to said pins, a reciprocable member positioned between said plates with its axis of movement extending parallel to the slots in said plates, a plurality of links, each pivotally connected at one corresponding end to said reciprocable member, certain of said links being connected by a pin to the jaws carried by one of the first mentioned pins and the other links being connected by another pin to the jaws carriedby the other of said firstmentioned pins, said link connecting pins each extending parallel to the associated jaw carrying pin and having rollers at each end positioned adjacent the respective side plate, guide rails associated with the respective side plates cooperable with said rollers to control the pivotal action of said jaws about their axes whereby said jaws may move into seal-crimping positions when said rollers pass beyond the outer ends of said rails, said slotted members having means thereon engageable with said rollers operative to move said members toward the free ends of said jaws, during return movement of said mechanism following the crimping of a seal, for disengaging the same and straps connected thereby, from the punch blocks, the side plate adjacent said cutter memher having a slot therein extending transverse to the parallel slots therein, a cutter block mounted in said transverse slot, cooperable with said base plate to form a passageway therebctween for a seal, and cooperable with said cutter member when said sealing mechanism is reciprocated, to shear a seal from a strip extending from said passageway, a pair of seal guides and a removable cover member cooperable with said base plate to guide seals through said passageway into said mechanism, a lever pivotally carried by said base plate on an axis positioned below the latter, a seal engaging pawl pivotally carried by said lever, spring means urging said pawl in a seal engaging direction, cooperable means on said lever and reciprocating member for transmitting movement of the latter to said lever in a seal feeding direction as the member approaches the end of its movement in a direction away from the free ends of said sideplates, spring means operative to urge said lever in a return direction, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston operatively connected to said reciprocable member, electro-rnagnetic valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said cylinder, switch means for reversing the fiow of fluid to said cylinder at opposite ends of the travel of said reciprocable member and for stopping the latter prior to seal crimping movement of said jaws to permit engagement of the strap ends to be joined with a seal positioned in said jaws, means carried by said reciprocable member cooperable with said switch means for operatively actuating the latter, and manually actuatable switch means for actuating said valve means to initiate movement of said mechanism toward the seal crimping position thereof.

2. In a band sealing device, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism comprising a base plate, having an opening therein, a pair of spaced parallel side plates associated with said base plate and extending through said opening therein, each having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots therein, the slots in one plate being laterally aligned with the corresponding slots in the other plate, a pair of parallel pins extending between said plates with opposite ends positioned in aligned slots, a plurality of spaced crimping jaws carried by each pin, punchblocks interposed between adjacent jaws, a pair of members interposed between said jaws and the respective side plates, one of said members having a cutting edge thereon, said pins extending through said punchblocks and through slots in said members extending parallel to the slots in said side plates whereby said members may move relative to said pins, a reciprocable member positioned between said plates with its axis of movement extending parallel to the slots in said side plates, a plurality of links, each pivotally connected at one corresponding end to said reciprocable member, certain of said links being connected by a pin to the jaws carried by one of the first mentioned pins and the other links being connected by another pin to the jaws carried by the other of said first-mentioned pins, said link connecting pins each extending parallel to the associated jaw carrying pin and having rollers at each end positioned adjacent the respective side plate, and guide rails associated with the respective side plates cooperable with said rollers to control the pivotal action of said jaws about eir axes whereby said jaws may move into seal-crimping positions when said rollers pass beyond the outer ends of said rails, said slotted members having means thereon engageable with said rollers operative to move said members toward the free ends of said jaws, during return movement of said mechanism following the crimping of a seal, for disengaging the same and straps connected thereby, from the punch blocks.

3. In a band sealing device, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism comprising a base plate, having an opening therein, a pair of spaced parallel side plates associated with said base plate and extending through said opening therein, each having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots therein, the slots in one plate being laterally aligned with the corresponding slots in the other plate, a pair of parallel pins extending between said plates with opposite ends positioned in aligned slots, a plurality of spaced crimping jaws carried by each pin, punchblocks interposed between adjacent jaws, a pair of members interposed between said jaws and the respective side plates, one of said members having a cutting edge thereon, said pins extending through said punchblocks and through slots in said members extending parallel to the slots in said side plates whereby said members may move relative to said pins, a reciprocable member positioned between said plates with its axis of movement extending parallel to the slots in said side plates, a plurality of links, each pivotally connected at one corresponding end to said reciprocable member, certain of said links being connected by a pin to the jaws carried by one of the first mentioned pins and the other links being connected by another pin to the jaws carried by the other of said first-mentioned pins, said link connecting pins each extending parallel to the associated jaw carrying pin and having rollers at each end positioned adjacent the respective side plates, guide rails associated with the respective side plates cooperable with said rollers to control the pivotal action of said jaws about their axes whereby said jaws may move into sealcrimping positions when said rollers pass beyond the outer ends of said rails, said slotted members having means thereon engageable with said rollers operative to move said members toward the free ends of said jaws, during return movement of said mechanism following the crimping of a seal, for disengaging the same and straps connected thereby, from the punch blocks, the side plate adjacent said cutter member having a slot assassin.

therein. extending transverseto the pgrrallehslotstherein,

and a cutter block mounted in said'transyerse slot, coop:v erable with' said base plate to form'a passageway therebetween for a seal, and cooperable with said cutter memher when said sealing mechanism is reciprocated, to shear asealfrom a strip extending from said passageway.

4. in a band sealing device, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism comprising a base plate, having an opening therein, a pair of spaced parallel side plates associated with said base plate and extending through said opening therein, each having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel slots therein, the slots in one plate being laterally aligned with the correspondingslots in the other plate, apair of parallel pins extending between said plates with opposite ends position in aligned slots, a plurality of spaced crimping jaws carried by each pin, punchblocks v interposedbetween adjacent jaws, a pair of members interposed between said jaws andthe respective side plates, one of said members having a cutting edge thereon, said pins extending through said punchblocks and through slots in said members extending parallel to the slots in I said side plates whereby said members may move relative tovsaid pins, a reciprocable member positioned between said plates with its axis of movement extending parallel to the slots in said side plates aplurality of links, each pivotally connected at one corresponding end to said reciprocable member, certain of-said links being connected by a pin to the jaws carried by one of the first mentioned pinsand the other links being connected by another pin to the jaws carried by the other of said first-mentioned pins, said link connecting pins each extending parallel to the. associated jaw carrying pin and having rollers at each end positioned adjacent the respective side plates,

guiderails associated with the respective side plates cooperable with said rollers to control the pivotal action of said jaws about their axeswhereby said jaws may move into seal-crimping positions when said rollers pass beyond the outer ends of said rails, said slotted members having means thereon engageable with said rollers'operative to move said. members toward the free ends of said jaws, during return movement of said mechanism following the crimping of a seal, for disengagingthe same and straps connected thereby, from the punch blocks, the side plate adjacent said cutter member having aslot therein extending transverse to the parallel slots therein, a cutter block mounted in said transverse slot, cooperable' with said. base plate to form a passageway therebetween for a seal, and coo'perable with said cutter member when said sealing mechanism is reciprocated, toshear a seal from a strip extending from said passageway, 1a pairof seal guides and a removable cover member cooperable with said;base

plate to guide seals through said passageway into said r mechanism, a lever pivotally carried by said base plate on an axis positioned below the latter, a seal engaging pawl pivotally carried by said lever, spring means urging said pawl in a seal engaging direction, cooperable means on said lever and reciprocating member for transmitting movement of the latter to saidlever in a. seal feedingv direction as the member approaches the end of its movement in a direction away from the free ends of ,said sideplates, and spring means operative to urge said lever in a return direction.

5. In a band sealing device, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism, a reciprocable member operatively connected to said deforming mechanism for actuating the latter, a seal guide operative to guide seals into said mechanism, means for advancing the leading seal of strips of connected seals into saidv mechanism, a pairof spring biased index pins extending inwardly from said seal guide, adapted to engage said strip of seals intermediate two ad, jacent seals to accurately position the leading. seal thereof following advanceof the strip, in said deforming mechanism, means for severing the leading seal from: the strips snbs'eqnent to, its, insertion into said mechanism, and

161" means for; operatively actuating. said advancing means, said severing means, and said deforming mechanism.

6. In a band sealing device, the combination of a seal deforming mechanism, a reciprocable member operatively connectedto said deforming mechanism for actuating the latter, afli ydra ulic cylinder having a piston operatively connected to said reciprocable member, electro-magnetic valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said cylinv derfswitch means for reversing the flo'w offluid to said cylinder at oppositeends of the travel of said reciprocable member and for stopping the latter prior to seal deforming movement ofsaid mechanism to permit engagement of the strapends to be joined with a seal positioned. in said mechanism, means carried by said reciprocable member cooperab'lewith, said switch means for operatively actuating the la tten'and switchfmeans for actuating said valve means to initiate movement of said mechanism to: ward the seal deforming'po'sitio'n thereof. i

7.v In a band .sealing devic'e, thecombination of a base plate having an opening therein, a seal deformingmech- 'anism extending. through saido'pening, a reciprocable niemberopcratively connected -.to said deforming mechanisrn for actuatingthe latterfa pair of seal guides and a 'removable'coveri member cooperable with said base plate to guide seals from asealsupply into said mechanism, a lever pivotallycarried by said base plate on an axis positionedb'elow the. latter, a seal engaging pawl pivo'tally carried byfIsaid lever, spring'-rneans urging said pawl in a seal engaging directionfcooperable means on said, lever andj'reciproc'atingfmember for transmitting movement of the latter .tosaidlever in a seal feeding direction as the member approaches the end of its movement feeding seals into said mechanismyactuating reversible means operatively connected to said reciprocable member,control mean'sforreversing said actuating means at opposite endsof the travel of said reciprocating member,

and. forlstopp'ing the latterprior to'seal deforming movement ofjsaid'jmechanism' toperrnit engagement of the strap'endsio bejoined with a seal positioned in said mechanism, mefa n's', carried, by, said reciprocable member cooperablejvith said control, rrieansf for operatively actuatingthegl'atter, andjmea'ns for initiatingmovement of said 'mechanism toward the seal deforming position thereof.

9. In'fa band'sealing device, the combination of a base plate havingan opening therein, a seal deforming mechanism extending through said opening, areciprocable memberoperativ'ely connectedfto said deforming mechanism for actuatingthe latter, a pair of seal guides and a removable cover member cooperable with said base plate to guide seals into' saidmechanism, ajlever pivotally carried by said base plate on an axis positioned below the latter, a seal engaging "pawl pivotally carried by said lever, spring means urging said pawl in a seal engaging direction, cooperable'ineans on 'said lever and reciprocating member. for transmitting movement'of the latter to said leverin a seal feeding direction as thernember approaches the end, of'its movement in a retroacting direction, and spring means operativeto urge 'said'lever in a retnrn direction. i i

10.- In a sealing'device forfjoining a pairof strap ends,

the combination of abaseplate having an opening therein,

a seal deforming mechanism extending through saidiopen ing, a reciprocable member operatively connected ,to said de ormi g me hani rt at n he att a Pa r,

seal guides and a removable cover member cooperable with said base plate to guide successive seals connected together to form a strip into said mechanism, a lever pivotally carried by said base plate on an axis positioned below the latter, a seal engaging pawl pivotally carried by said lever, spring means urging said pawl in a seal engaging direction, cooperable means on said lever and reciprocating member for transmitting movement of the latter to said lever in a seal feeding direction as the member approaches the end of its movement in a retro'acting direction, spring means operative to urge said lever in a return direction, a pair of spring biased index pins extending inwardly from said seal guides adapted to engage said strip of seals intermediate two adjacent seals to accurately position the leading seal thereof following advance of the strip, in said deforming mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston operatively connected to said reciprocable member, electro-magnetic valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said cylinder, switch means for reversing the fiow of fluid to said cylinder at opposite ends of the travel of said reciprocable member and for stopping the latter prior to seal deforming movement of said mechanism to permit engagement of the strap ends to be joined with a seal positioned in said mechanism, means carried by said reciprocable member cooperable with said switch means for operatively actuating the latter, and switch means for actuating said valve means to initiate movement of said mechanism toward the seal deforming position thereof.

11. In a power actuated band sealing device, the combination of a reciprocable sealing mechanism, power means for actuating said mechanism, means for feeding a seal into said mechanism, independently operable means at opposite sides of said sealing mechanism for controlling said actuating means to crimp a seal therein, and additional means for controlling said actuating means to reciprocate the mechanism when desired.

12. In a power actuated band sealing device, the combination of a seal crimping mechanism, power means for actuating said mechanism, and independently operable manually aetuatable control means at opposite sides of said sealing mechanism ,for controlling said actuating means, and arranged to require the means at each side to be simultaneously manually actuated before said sealing mechanism is operative, to crimp a seal therein, and means for automatically feeding a seal into said mechanism subsequent to the crimping of a preceding seal.

13. In a power actuated band sealing device, the combination of a seal crimping mechanism, po'wer means for actuating said mechanism, and independently operable manually actuatable control means at opposite sides of said sealing mechanism for controlling said power means, and arranged to require the means at each side to be simultaneously actuated before said sealing mechanism is operated.

14. In a band sealing device, the combination of a sealing mechanism including a pair of crimping jaws adapted to crimp a seal on a pair of band ends, said mechanism being reciprocable along an axis, means for effecting partial closing of said jaws to support a seal therein when the sealing mechanism is in a first predetermined position on said axis, means for feeding a seal from a supply thereof to said mechanism when the latter is in a second predetermined position on said axis, automatic means for controlling the reciprocation of said sealing mechanism from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position, and its return to the first predetermined position, and means for controlling the seal crimping movement of said jaws when the mechanism is in said first predetermined position.

15. In a band sealing device, the combination of a sealing mechanism adapted to crimp a seal on a pair of aligned band ends, and including seal deforming means and a co'ope'rable pair of clamping jaws, said deforming means and jaws being reciprocable along an axis transverse to the axis of said pair of band ends and said jaws being supported for movement relative to said deforming means for crimping a seal positioned on the latter, when the sealing mechanism is in a predetermined position relative to said strap axis, means for feeding a strip of connected seals relative to said mechanism when the latter is in another predetermined position relative to said strap axis, to position the leading seal of the strip in operative position in the sealing mechanism, means for severing such seal from said strip when said sealing mechanism is moved from its position during seal feeding to an intermediate positio'n, automatic means for controlling the reciprocation of said sealing mechanism from seal crimping position to seal feeding position, and its return to the intermediate position, and manually actuatable means for controlling the movement of said jaws into the seal crimping position from said intermediate position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,911 Treat June 17, 1930 1,984,652 Ott Dec. 18, 1934 2,097,946 Childress Nov. 2, 1937 2,218,023 Doolittle Oct. 15, 1940 2,298,658 Spencer Oct. 13, 1942 

